https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-48-Appraisal-Skills-Friendship-Price-/13535463/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-50-Trade-District-Exotic-Race-Merchants/13535475/
Chapter 49: Lizard Alley Observer Mushrooms
Chapter 49 Lizard Alley Observer Mushrooms
During this time, Luo En diligently appraised various peculiar materials for the dwarf, ranging from Otherworld plant pollen to certain magical beasts' bodily fluids, and even rare mineral crystals.
Each specimen was meticulously analyzed through his 【herb identification】 ability, earning precise evaluations.
【Counterfeit Detection Successful! herb identification experience points +1】
【Precision Identification Achieved! herb identification experience points +2】
...
【Current Progress: herb identification (Novice 43/50)】
Unconsciously, his herb identification skill had nearly reached the breakthrough threshold for the next level.
This was significantly faster than the rate he'd gained while assisting Madame Ellen at the Herbal Medicine Shop. Perhaps it was because these materials' authenticity was so difficult to discern, thoroughly testing his professional expertise.
Ao Tuo's expression gradually shifted from the wary vigilance of a merchant to something bordering on genuine admiration.
"You know something, young man?" the dwarf said meaningfully after the final appraisal was completed.
"You're one of the most naturally gifted apothecary apprentices I've encountered in recent years. Half of those so-called professional appraisers wouldn't match your accuracy."
He produced a crystal vial filled with silver powder, carefully sealing it shut.
"This Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash will cost you five Mana Shard Fragments. This half-price deal is the best concession I can offer."
Luo En accepted the price with a smile, mentally calculating the transaction's value.
Obtaining high-quality Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash for five Mana Shard Fragments was indeed a profitable deal.
"Young man, I'm glad you understand that trusting others is dangerous", Ao Tuo whispered as they departed the booth, his blue eyes gleaming with sharp intelligence that completely shattered his rough exterior. "If you truly want to complete your material list, you'll need to visit Lizard Alley. Though dangerous, it's the place where true treasures hide."
He added ominously, "Remember, no one assumes responsibility for your losses in the Black Market. If you buy counterfeit goods, you only have yourself to blame. There will always be people trying to deceive you—like I just did."
After bidding farewell to gray dwarf Ao Tuo, Luo En and Andie exited the Sunset Tavern through its narrow back entrance.
The sky outside had undergone a subtle transformation. The already dim sunlight filtered through the Black Mist Jungle's eerie mists, casting an ominous crimson glow across the entire settlement. This unnatural illumination added an unnatural, almost sinister atmosphere to the place.
"This haul turned out better than expected", Andie sighed in relief, his gaze lingering on the crystal vial in Luo En's hand as a satisfied smile tugged at his lips. "Five Mana Shard Fragments for genuine Moon Shadow Bat Heart Ash? No one would believe that."
Luo En nodded, carefully storing the silver powder vial deep within his inner pocket. He checked the seal twice before relaxing. Though this material wasn't volatile, exposure to moisture or specific energy fields would rapidly degrade its potency.
"Ao Tuo was right—we do need to check Lizard Alley next", he murmured, weariness creeping into his voice. "The Sunset Tavern's relatively 'safe' environment probably only contains a tiny fraction of what's listed on our materials."
"Lizard Alley isn't like this place", Andie's expression turned serious. The young noble's usual elegant composure vanished, replaced by an unusual tension. "All manner of desperados gather there—including apprentices expelled from surrounding Schools for misconduct, not to mention even more dangerous exotic race mercenaries."
They passed through a chaotic marketplace, the air thick with competing aromas—boiling potions, baked bread, rotting vegetables, and some pungent scents Luo En couldn't identify. Vendors of various races shouted in different languages, creating a cacophony of background noise.
"Anything specific we should watch out for?" Luo En asked quietly, sidestepping an eye-patched merchant hailing them enthusiastically.
In such matters, Andie clearly had greater experience.
"Never expose your true identity, especially if you're a School member", Andie whispered, guiding Luo En toward a concealed footpath. "While vendors rarely attack customers directly, they won't hesitate to sell our information to the highest bidder."
The path's entrance was framed by crooked wooden planks, a signboard hanging above inscribed in an indecipherable script. This deliberate obscurity already indicated the place's unofficial nature.
Luo En paused, considering, "Should we disguise our identities?"
"No need to go overboard—just avoid wearing apprentice insignias or robes", Andie gestured at their casual attire. "Like this—two young outsiders, perhaps minor nobles' sons seeking thrills. That's common enough in Lizard Alley to avoid suspicion."
He smiled faintly, tugging at his plain dark jacket. "Still, to be safe, we'd best avoid using each other's names."
"Understood", Luo En nodded. "If asked about our origins... Well, probably no one will bother asking anyway."
Reaching this mutual understanding, the two passed through the tilted wooden archway, stepping onto the path leading to Lizard Alley.
The winding trail was lined with peculiar dark brown mushrooms growing in strange formations. Up close, their surfaces revealed fine, velvety filaments constantly emitting weak bioluminescence—an insufficient but functional light source in the dim environment.
"This feels deliberately designed to draw attention", Luo En observed, studying the unnaturally arranged fungi.
Indeed, the entire trail bore clear signs of artificial construction, as if intentionally creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"You're half-right", Andie replied softly. "These mushrooms were definitely cultivated—but not to welcome visitors, rather to monitor them."
He gestured at the seemingly ordinary fungi. "These observer mushrooms can sense passersby's general condition, transmitting information through mycelium networks. Lizard Alley's managers use them to screen visitors—if you're an enforcer or carry hostile intent, the mycelium network instantly triggers an alarm."
(End of Chapter)
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